Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2025–50K
3150–75K
2375–100K
15100–150K
7150K+
118 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports7 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
138 reports
21 miles · Oct 13, 2003
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY LIGHTS FLICKERING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GO ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT. THE DATE THAT I LISTED BELOW IT WAS THE WORST OCCURRENCE THUS FAR. THERE WERE NO APPLIANCES RUNNING ( AIR OR HEAT ) TO CAUSE THIS. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TRY TO RUN ME OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THEIR HI BEAM LIGHTS ON ME THINKING THAT…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY LIGHTS FLICKERING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GO ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT. THE DATE THAT I LISTED BELOW IT WAS THE WORST OCCURRENCE THUS FAR. THERE WERE NO APPLIANCES RUNNING ( AIR OR HEAT ) TO CAUSE THIS. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TRY TO RUN ME OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THEIR HI BEAM LIGHTS ON ME THINKING THAT I WAS FLASHING THEM WHEN MY LIGHTS WERE ACTUALLY FLICKERING. I FEEL THAT WITH ROAD RAGE INCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE FIRE THAT THIS POSSES A SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041748
2,300 miles · Oct 13, 2003
Electrical System
*SATURN BUYERS BEWARE* I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW L200 IN MARCH 03. TO DATE I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: -CAR DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME -TEMPERATURE CONTROLS DOES NOT WORK -REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO SATURN 4 TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANY PR…
Read full complaint
*SATURN BUYERS BEWARE* I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW L200 IN MARCH 03. TO DATE I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: -CAR DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME -TEMPERATURE CONTROLS DOES NOT WORK -REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO SATURN 4 TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE IS TERRIBLE AS WELL. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041731
70 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInjury
A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS PASSING ME ON THE INTERSTATE. JUST AS HIS TRAILER WAS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 PAST ME, MY LIGHTS DIMMED OUT ON MY CAR BY THEMSELVES. THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER THOUGHT I HAD FLASHED MY HEADLIGHTS AT HIM, TO LET HIM KNOW HE HAD CLEARED MY CAR AND WAS SAFE TO COME INTO MY LANE, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THIS…
Read full complaint
A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS PASSING ME ON THE INTERSTATE. JUST AS HIS TRAILER WAS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 PAST ME, MY LIGHTS DIMMED OUT ON MY CAR BY THEMSELVES. THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER THOUGHT I HAD FLASHED MY HEADLIGHTS AT HIM, TO LET HIM KNOW HE HAD CLEARED MY CAR AND WAS SAFE TO COME INTO MY LANE, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THIS MADE THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME AND THE TRACTOR TRAILER IN ALL 3 LANES, TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES. THE TRUCK DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF HIS RIG TRYING TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE CLEARANCE AS MY LIGHTS "SUGGESTED" TO HIM THAT HE HAD. ALL OF US WERE FORTUNATE AT THIS TIME NOT TO HAVE WRECKED. (YET I RECEIVED A LOT OF JERKING OF MY NECK AND HEAD WHEN BRAKING AND STEERING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY). NEXT TIME MY LIGHTS DO THIS IT COULD MAKE ANOTHER TRUCKER OR PERSON PULLING AN RV OR A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF KIDS OR TOUR BUS FULL OF TOURISTS THINK I HAVE GIVEN THE "CLEARANCE" TO MOVE INTO MY LANE; WHEN I HAVE NOT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS ISSUE WON?T FORCE TO BE REPAIRED BY GM/SATURN. I REPORTED TO SATURN, WHAT CAUSED THIS SEVERE POWER DRAIN ON MY CAR. WHEN THE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN NEAR THE COMPRESSOR KICKS IN, IT PUTS A SEVERE POWER DRAIN ON THE CARS LIGHTS, WHICH WAS USING THE HEAT OR A/C THAT COULD BE DOZENS OF TIMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IF IT APPEARS THAT I AM FLASHING MY HEADLIGHTS TO THOSE IN FRONT OF ME AND TAPPING MY BRAKES TO THOSE BEHIND ME. LAST WEEK, MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS TRYING TO FIX MY CAR. ON THE 2ND DAY OF WORKING ON MY CAR THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED SATURN INCORPORATED FOR HELP. MY DEALERSHIP WAS FORCED BY SATURN CORPORATION TO STOP WORKING ON MY CAR. THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO FIX MY CAR CLAIMING ALL SATURNS ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. THEY SAID IT IS NOT A SAFETY OR WARRANTY ISSUE BECAUSE MY LIGHTS DON'T GO ALL THE WAY OFF. MY LIGHTS MIGHT NOT GO ALL THE WAY OUT BUT THEY GO OUT TOO MUCH TO BE CONSIDERED SAFE. NOTE:(THE 2004 L-300 LOANER THEY HAD SUPPLIED ME DOES IT TOO) *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041433
70 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Electrical SystemInjury
A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS PASSING ME ON THE INTERSTATE. JUST AS HIS TRAILER WAS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 PAST ME, MY LIGHTS DIMMED OUT ON MY CAR BY THEMSELVES. THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER THOUGHT I HAD FLASHED MY HEADLIGHTS AT HIM, TO LET HIM KNOW HE HAD CLEARED MY CAR AND WAS SAFE TO COME INTO MY LANE, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THIS…
Read full complaint
A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS PASSING ME ON THE INTERSTATE. JUST AS HIS TRAILER WAS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 PAST ME, MY LIGHTS DIMMED OUT ON MY CAR BY THEMSELVES. THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER THOUGHT I HAD FLASHED MY HEADLIGHTS AT HIM, TO LET HIM KNOW HE HAD CLEARED MY CAR AND WAS SAFE TO COME INTO MY LANE, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THIS MADE THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME AND THE TRACTOR TRAILER IN ALL 3 LANES, TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES. THE TRUCK DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF HIS RIG TRYING TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE CLEARANCE AS MY LIGHTS "SUGGESTED" TO HIM THAT HE HAD. ALL OF US WERE FORTUNATE AT THIS TIME NOT TO HAVE WRECKED. (YET I RECEIVED A LOT OF JERKING OF MY NECK AND HEAD WHEN BRAKING AND STEERING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY). NEXT TIME MY LIGHTS DO THIS IT COULD MAKE ANOTHER TRUCKER OR PERSON PULLING AN RV OR A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF KIDS OR TOUR BUS FULL OF TOURISTS THINK I HAVE GIVEN THE "CLEARANCE" TO MOVE INTO MY LANE; WHEN I HAVE NOT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS ISSUE WON?T FORCE TO BE REPAIRED BY GM/SATURN. I REPORTED TO SATURN, WHAT CAUSED THIS SEVERE POWER DRAIN ON MY CAR. WHEN THE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN NEAR THE COMPRESSOR KICKS IN, IT PUTS A SEVERE POWER DRAIN ON THE CARS LIGHTS, WHICH WAS USING THE HEAT OR A/C THAT COULD BE DOZENS OF TIMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IF IT APPEARS THAT I AM FLASHING MY HEADLIGHTS TO THOSE IN FRONT OF ME AND TAPPING MY BRAKES TO THOSE BEHIND ME. LAST WEEK, MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS TRYING TO FIX MY CAR. ON THE 2ND DAY OF WORKING ON MY CAR THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED SATURN INC FOR HELP. MY DEALERSHIP WAS FORCED BY SATURN CORPORATION TO STOP WORKING ON MY CAR. THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO FIX MY CAR CLAIMING ALL SATURNS ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. THEY SAID IT IS NOT A SAFETY OR WARRANTY ISSUE BECAUSE MY LIGHTS DON'T GO ALL THE WAY OFF. MY LIGHTS MIGHT NOT GO ALL THE WAY OUT BUT THEY GO OUT TOO MUCH TO BE CONSIDERED SAFE. NOTE:(THE 2004 L-300 LOANER THEY HAD SUPPLIED ME DOES IT TOO) *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041432
4,000 miles · Aug 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES SINCE CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE. BRAKES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BOOSTER/ ROTORS/ MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE PADS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10034577
44,000 miles · Aug 18, 2003
Electrical System
SUDDEN ELECTRICAL FAILURE RELATED (ACCORDING TO DEALER) TO FAILURE OF BCM (COMPUTER MODULE. RESULTED IN LOSS OF GAGES IN DASHBOARD, LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ELECTRIC DOORLOCKS FAILING, CAR COULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF GEAR (PARK) WHEN STOPPED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033054
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2003
Fuel System, Other
2003 SATURN L200 DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS OF ADVERTISED FUEL EFFICIENCY.*MR TRANSFERRED TO OVSC. 08/13/2003.*CB
NHTSA ODI #10034010
2,500 miles · Jun 23, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
MY 2003 SATURN L200 WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER THE SIDE CURTAIN NOR FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. THE IMPACT WAS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CAR TO BE DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS UPON IMPACT. *JB
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).
DP05008 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed Feb 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICLESCOVERED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (03-06-01-017) THAT ADDRESSED TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AND SERVICE PROCEDURE CHANGES, EXHIBITED NO COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.ODI WILL GRANT THE PETITION AND OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, TREND, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REFER TO PE06-006.
2003 Saturn L200 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration